Exactly where do bubble tip anemone like to perch?

[ClaptonsGhost]

I've read that your classic green bubbletip anemone like moderate water flow and bright lights. But mine constantly moves itself into one of my caves, so he's hardly getting any light, and the rock he's stuck to blocks what little waterflow actually goes through that cave. He's perfectly happy, filled out and extremely healthy looking.

Is this normal? I've also read that each anemone has a "mind" of its own with its own preferences. Do some anemones actually prefer extremely low light and almost zero water flow?

 

[bang guy]

They like to attach their foot deep into a crevice or under a rock and reach around for the full light available. This allows them to easily regulate the amount of light their zooxanthellae receive.

 

[ClaptonsGhost]

That makes sense regarding his original perch. He would slide to the top of a rock for light, then slide down the side of the rock and kind of tuck himself under when he didn't want light. But where he is now there is no way his foot can reach a crevice, and he has to travel at least 4" or so (which is a lot farther than it sounds), to get to the light. And, again, almost no water flow where he is. I'll try to take a picture.

OK, here's a pic. Inside the red oval you can see the tops of its tentacles (I heavily saturated the color so you can make it out). Most of it is completely behind that rock, and the powerhead is behind and above the camera view. And that's where he's stayed since he moved there. And it's not even as bright as it appears to be.

 

[bang guy]

Is it feeding normally? For most moderately sized Bubbletips 4" is about the right distance to stretch to get to the light. I would not be concerned with the flow rate as long as you've provided options for higher flow.

If it's not feeding then there is an issue. If it's eating normally I would suggest just waiting it out. I believe it will eventually get to the point where it's normally stretched out into the light in its full glory.

 

[pegasus]

Is it feeding normally? For most moderately sized Bubbletips 4" is about the right distance to stretch to get to the light. I would not be concerned with the flow rate as long as you've provided options for higher flow.

If it's not feeding then there is an issue. If it's eating normally I would suggest just waiting it out. I believe it will eventually get to the point where it's normally stretched out into the light in its full glory.

Agreed. Every anemone I've ever owned moved until it found a spot that it liked. Normally not where I'd want it to be, since it was usually behind or under a rock, but they decide where they want to be... not you or I. When they find the spot that meets their needs, they'll set up house. As long as it's eating, it should be okay.

 

[bang guy]

I once had one find a cinder block that I had temporarily placed in my lagoon. After that I had to leave the block in place. It did quite well for a long time until I gave it away (including the cinder block.

 

[ClaptonsGhost]

Is it feeding normally? For most moderately sized Bubbletips 4" is about the right distance to stretch to get to the light. I would not be concerned with the flow rate as long as you've provided options for higher flow.

If it's not feeding then there is an issue. If it's eating normally I would suggest just waiting it out. I believe it will eventually get to the point where it's normally stretched out into the light in its full glory.

Yes it's eating and looking real happy. The tank has been through 3 aquascapings in the past week and a half, so that must have been a bit traumatic.

 

[ClaptonsGhost]

Agreed. Every anemone I've ever owned moved until it found a spot that it liked. Normally not where I'd want it to be, since it was usually behind or under a rock, but they decide where they want to be... not you or I. When they find the spot that meets their needs, they'll set up house. As long as it's eating, it should be okay.

I'm really curious, then, how people who are heavy into spectacular reef aquariums get their anemones to stay put, assuming they don't re-position them every other day.

 

[ClaptonsGhost]

I once had one find a cinder block that I had temporarily placed in my lagoon. After that I had to leave the block in place. It did quite well for a long time until I gave it away (including the cinder block.

Wow, no cinder blocks in my tank. I do have some re-bar with barnacles on it ;-)

 

[bang guy]

This is the only picture of the cinder block I could find.

 

[ClaptonsGhost]

7 clowns in that anemone? Nice! What color is that if I may ask. It looks like copper.

 

[bang guy]

I think they call them Rose.

 

[pegasus]

I'm really curious, then, how people who are heavy into spectacular reef aquariums get their anemones to stay put, assuming they don't re-position them every other day.

Re-positioning them is what a lot of people end up doing. I think it's kind of cruel, but to each their own. I've tried moving mine a few times, but never successfully. Every time I'd move them, they'd move to worst positions. I gave up trying, they've all disappeared, and I don't know if I have any others besides my giant sea anemone.

This guy started on the left front of my tank, went up the rocks, around the rocks, behind the rocks, and traveled about four feet across the back until it latched onto the back of one of rocks at the other end of the tank. If it didn't expand to about a foot, I'd never see it. Fortunately, it hangs over the top of the rock when it's expanded, so I get to see about a third of it. Sometimes I get lucky and it's mouth makes it to the top and I can see half of it. Most of the time it's like this...

the former...

 

[ClaptonsGhost]

Kind of makes it hard to feed doesn't it? So far I've only fed phytofeast to my mushrooms/anemone. I haven't fed him mysis other than what happens to float nearby. Oh, and last I checked he's no longer on that rock. No idea where he'll be tomorrow.

 

[bang guy]

I don't believe mushrooms or Anemone eat phyto.

 

[ClaptonsGhost]

If that's the case then this is yet another example of my LFS screwing with me. Thanks for the info.

 

[bang guy]

I could be outdated but my experience and everything I've studied indicate they are carnivores.

 

[ClaptonsGhost]

Well, he popped up. Does he look healthy to you?

 

[pegasus]

Yeah, he looks fine. Should color up after he's been exposed to some light. As BG mentioned, they don't eat phyto... they're carnivores. Feed him a few Mysis, and he'll be extremely grateful. As far as feeding my big fellow, all I have to do is drop a piece of fish or shrimp anywhere on him, usually it's the edge I can see, and it takes care of the rest by moving the food to it's mouth. It's so sticky, I don't know how it ever moves the food from where it lands, but it manages. Eons of evolution made sure it knows how to eat... lol!

 

[ClaptonsGhost]

Hey, just wondering, I got a green carpet anemone yesterday. He's still in the spot I put him. He's all opened up, nice color and all. I've never had one before and haven't really looked into this but his mouth is WIDE open. Is that normal, or is he really hungry and trying to suck some food in from somewhere? Should I hand feed him some mysis?